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For many of us, the knee jerk reaction to a headache is to take some over-the-counter painkillers. Of course sometimes this truly is the only thing that helps, but before you rush to the tablet cupboard why not consider a natural approach?

Below we look at some tried and tested natural ways to help with headache pain.

Note: If your headaches are frequent/severe, be sure to seek advice from your GP.

1. Keep a headache diary

When a headache strikes, note down what you’ve had to eat and drink, how you’re feeling (stressed, calm?) and how much sleep you’ve had. Learning your headache triggers will go a long way to prevent future episodes.

2. Eat small meals frequently

When your blood sugar gets low it can trigger headaches. Try to keep this in check by eating smaller meals more frequently and snack between meals. Try to keep foods healthy and nutritious to avoid...

Since the beginning of time, bathing has been considered an art form, used to restore good health and peace of mind. Today, running a bath is still considered a simple, but luxurious way to wash away daily stressors. While spa treatments are effective in fighting negative feelings, they aren’t always the most practical way to de-stress.

Using a few simple ingredients, you can make your own bath a haven. By creating a weekly ritual of de-stressing with a warm bath, you’ll be able to help encourage peace, cleanse the mind and ease tension in the body.

Prep

The first step in creating a beautiful experience is to prepare your body and your bathroom. To transform your bathroom into your own, private spa, turn off any overhead lighting. Light some candles and choose some soothing music. Whether it is a relaxation playlist on spotify, or a selection of your favourite songs, choose whatever calms you personally.

As honey is produced by bees, it is commonly found throughout the world. However, there are certain forms of honey that are only produced in a few locations and each country has its favourite. When bees are able to access large areas of one type of flower, they can produce a monofloral honey that has a specific flavour. This is why there are so many varied tastes to honey, depending on where it was produced and from which flower.

But what is it?

Honey is essentially the sweet food made by the bees, using the nectar from flowers. The variety produced by honey bees is what we know to be honey, collected by beekeepers and sold in supermarkets to be consumed by people. People have been using honey as a sweetener for many years, it has also been used for its medicinal traditions, as well as for symbolic and religious uses.

What can it heal?

Honey is believed to have a wide range of health benefits, which can help heal the...

Next time a minor disaster strikes, look around the house for a remedy.

When it comes to simple first aid, many of us prefer natural, DIY home remedies to those from a pharmacy. Fortunately, there is a wealth of fast-acting remedies thought to effectively treat minor ailments.

Whether you’re a parent dealing a child’s scrape or bruise, you’re prone to accidents or you just want to be prepared, these all-natural remedies will be handy to have in your first aid kit.

Baking soda for bee stings

Baking soda is usually found at the back of your kitchen cupboard waiting to be used in a recipe or as a cleaning agent, but it can also treat bee stings. Simply pour some baking soda into the palm of your hand and add a little water to make a paste. Apply the mixture directly to the sting to help reduce pain and inflammation.

Basil for mosquito bites

Believe it or not, this common ingredient is also thought to relieve the itch of a mosquito bite. To relieve the itch and soothe the skin, gently rub...

Winter is the time when we could all benefit from an extra dose of vitamin C.

Lemons, oranges and limes are readily available in the UK and when they are so affordable, it is a great time to make a big batch of lemon concentrate to keep in the freezer, ready for when you need a boost.

To make the lemonade concentrate, you will need:

One part freshly squeezed lemon juice.

One part water.

One and a half parts sugar.

Method

1. Heat the water and sugar together until dissolved.
2. Let the syrup cool to room temperature.
3. Add the lemon juice.
4. Once mixed, pour into cupcake cases and place in the freezer.
5. When ready to drink, depending on strength, mix with cold water.

Now this alone tastes delicious and refreshing, but if you are fighting off symptoms of a cold or flu, herbal lemonade can help give your immune system a boost as well as make you feel a little more relaxed.

For the herbal lemonade, mix the lemon concentrate with some hot water...

These days herbal remedies can be found in supermarkets, health food outlets and pharmacies, but you can also create a corner in your garden where you can grow your own.

Medical herbalist, Luzia Barclay is currently busy setting up her own medicinal herb garden. She says that the best place to start is to divide your corner into sections devoted to each of the body systems, for example:

digestive system

skin health

nervous system.

The next step is to fill the plot with the herbs that are thought to help keep your body in good health.

Milk thistle – The seeds contain silymarin, a compound believed to boost liver health. Once the purple flowers have blossomed into seed heads, remove them. Place in a warm, dry place and tap the buds to release the seeds a few days later. Grind the seeds and add them to your cooking or as a breakfast topping.

Nausea affects us all at some point, but you may already have a remedy hiding in your home.

At some point in our lives, we will all be affected by bouts of nausea. Whether yours is related to acid reflux, medication or pregnancy, there are some natural remedies hiding in your kitchen cupboard that may provide relief.

Ginger

While research continues to look at the effectiveness of ginger as a natural remedy, it does have a long history of treating nausea, diarrhoea and stomachache. Ginger has been used to treat a variety of digestive issues for thousands of years. It is unclear how and why ginger can be effective in relieving nausea, but the active component, gingerol, is thought to have a direct effect on the digestive system.

There are many ways you can add ginger to your diet – add it to hot water and lemon for a soothing tea or add it into your recipes for a warming kick.

Peppermint

Peppermint has also been used for many years as a natural remedy. Both peppermint leaves and oil are helpful in managing...

Smell is closely related to our memories and actions. When our noses pick up a scent, it is immediately sent to the brain for processing.

When we recognise a scent, it gets sent to two important parts of the brain; the olfactory bulb identifies what the smell is and the thalamus tells us what to do. For example, when we smell smoke, we know that it may mean danger and to get out.

Following this, what we smell can have a strong effect on our productivity levels. If you’re a coffee lover, the simple smell of freshly ground beans may perk you up. If you need an extra boost however, there are other aromas that can help boost productivity and motivation levels.

Scented candles only produce subtle scents – while they are not overpowering, they can still have a positive effect on our mind.

Peppermint or cinnamon for new ideas

If you are feeling uninspired and stuck for new ideas, a peppermint or cinnamon scented candle can stimulate your...

As January grows colder, we become more susceptible to winter illness.

Many of the spices used in winter recipes are found to be effective in boosting our immune system and improving digestion. If you’re feeling poorly, get yourself in the kitchen and add these four spices to your dishes.

Ginger

Known for its positive effect on the digestive system, ginger is rich in the active compound, gingerol. This has been shown to improve indigestion, reduce feelings of nausea and reduce vomiting. Ginger is also an anti-inflammatory, assisting in pain relief and inflammation.

Add fresh ginger to boiling water for a sweet tea or slice it up and add it to your stews for a kick of flavour.

Nutmeg

Nutmeg is a spice packed with minerals, including magnesium, potassium and zinc. These minerals are particularly important in the body’s fight against cold and flu symptoms. This magnesium-rich spice is also known to promote relaxation and sleep.

We’ve compiled a list of easy-to-find and tasty herbal teas thought to help ease common health problems.

While we all enjoy a lovely cup of tea as an afternoon pick-me-up, there are a wide variety of herbal teas that are thought to promote well-being and help us feel better. From classic calming lavender and chamomile to dandelion and sage, these teas are easy to find and can add a little comfort to our day-to-day lives.

Peppermint for indigestion

Refreshing and renewing, peppermint is the perfect energy booster. It is known to promote digestion and relieve nausea and gas. Studies have found it to be an effective treatment for symptoms of indigestion and IBS.

To make the tea: Steep one teaspoon of dried peppermint leaves in one cup of freshly boiled water for 10 minutes. Try to drink four to five cups per day.

Chamomile for anxiety

Chamomile is a gentle healer but it is highly effective as the yellow daisy-like flowers have anti-inflammatory properties. Chamomile is already a popular tea to reduce anxiety and promote...